ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN HEATING AND COOLING

ENERGY EFFICIENCY: It is no coincidence that Denmark is a world leader in energy efficiency. The country is not richly endowed in natural energy resources like coal, and the population has long understood the need for thrift in the use of energy. For the last 30 years, a succession of energy taxation policies has kept this attitude front of mind both among private consumers and in industry.

It has also made Danfoss A/S a world leader in mechanical and electronic components for heating and cooling of residential buildings, refrigeration of food and production line control. The company’s product portfolio includes valves, compressors and thermostats, which are used in countless systems worldwide.

“Our products and our brand are positioned to communicate that we are a company committed to energy efficiency. Energy and environment issues are high on the agenda in just about every country these days, which make our energy efficient solutions highly relevant,” says Niels B. Christiansen, Deputy CEO & COO of Danfoss. “Our products also have a strong reputation for reliability. We have produced high quality for many years, and we know that our customers expect it of us. We take great care over our production so that our products last for many years. Replacing or repairing a plant is expensive, and so everybody in the supply chain needs to be sure that the products will last.” Danfoss is a strongly research and development oriented company. Product development is an extremely thorough process which builds on the extensive knowledge Danfoss already possesses. Currently under development is a compressor, whose speed can be varied according to need, so that no more energy is used than required.

Danfoss’ export strategy is to enter relevant markets as quickly as possible. “It is easier to gain a share of the market while it is growing”, says Niels B. Christiansen, who reveals that Danfoss has just acquired companies in China in order to have a presence when the anticipated market expansion begins. In the USA, Danfoss has acquired a number of companies to expand its market share.

“We are already major players in the cooling and air conditioning market in the USA,” says Christiansen, who adds that acquiring a new factory can also complement existing activities on a market.

“Air conditioning is a very important market for us in the USA, and we have recently developed a special valve for this application area. Air conditioning accounts for a third of all the energy used in the USA, so it is a giant market with an enormous potential for energy saving.” District heating is a focus area in the eastern European countries, especially in Russia where a lot of new building is taking place. In the early 1980s Danfoss entered the Russian market, which is now one of its top 5 markets along with USA and China, with a growth rate of between 30 and 40%. This market spread helps make Danfoss more global as well as less dependent on a particular region.

http://www.danfoss.com